Classification System for Species at Risk

Extinct:A species no longer found anywhere.
Endangered: A species that is close to extinction in a significantly large location.
Extirpated: A species that no longer exists in one area but can be found in other areas.
Threatened:A species that is likely to become endangered if it's vulnerable factors are not reversed.
Vulnerable:A species that is at risk because of low or declining numbers at the fringe of its range

What is the mountain gorilla’s habitat and diet?

Mountain gorillas used to inhabit the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa freely. Unfortunately now the only mountain gorillas left can be found within two regions. The first population of mountain gorillas inhabits the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in Uganda. In 2003 a census recorded that there was 340 gorillas living there. The second population of mountain gorillas inhabits the Virunga volcanic mountains of Central Africa in three parks; the Mgahinga Gorilla National Park in Uganda, in the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. There are around 380 gorillas that can be found in the Virungas. There surrounding habitat is filled with dense vegetation which provides a healthy food source for the mountain gorillas. Their diet consists of leaves, roots, stems, bark, fruits, flowers, and small invertebrates.

What are the mountain gorilla’s predators and threats?

As the human population grows; the necessity of deforestation and the amount of poachers increases, destroying the population of the mountain gorillas. Mountain gorillas are usually killed for parts of their bodies to be collected by collectors, or trapped in snares intended that were intended for other animals. Infants are sold to researchers, people who want them as pets, and the zoos resulting in a low population since the mountain gorillas already have a slow reproductive rate. The increasing rate of human population throughout the mountain gorilla’s habitat is pushing them to isolated forest islands, and that is not the only threat they have, mountain gorillas also have to worry about leopards and crocodiles which hunt them as a food source.

What is being done to solve the mountain gorilla’s endangerdness?

The International Gorilla Conservation Program (IGCP) was established when The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) worked with Fauna and Flora International and World Wide Fund for Nature, to protect the remaining mountain gorillas.
IGCP works on:
- Through regional collaboration it strengthens the mountain gorilla habitat protection.
- Researching the dynamic between the human population and the natural habitat/wildlife.
- Developing livelihood strategies that are complementary to conservation objectives by working with local communities.
IGCP has had great success which includes the 15% increase of the mountain gorilla population which is now up to 720.

Ways to Save Mountain Gorillas